MTPA enriches exhibitors ahead of Indaba
The MTPA is also equipping local exhibitors for the largest tourism-market event on the African calendar.
MBOMBELA – The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) recently held a workshop to brief exhibitors ahead of the annual Tourism Indaba.
This annual tourism spectacular will be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban from May 7 to 9.
It will showcase the widest variety of Southern Africa’s best tourism products and will attract international buyers and media from across the world. More than 791 exhibitors will fill the convention centre in this year’s instalment of the event.
The MTPA is also equipping local exhibitors for the largest tourism-market event on the African calendar.
The agency has been offering training sessions to the exhibitors with the aim of assisting them to attract potential clients at the Indaba.
For the first time this year, all tourism products from the province will be under one umbrella of exhibitors, namely Mpumalanga Village.
Mpumalanga Village will include Kruger Lowveld Tourism and Highveld Tourism.
According to Ms Nitta Sukha from South African Tourism, they will give exhibitors a platform to sell their products and make new contacts.
“The indaba also gives exhibitors a networking opportunity to connect with potential clients and seal partnerships,” Sukha said.
Mr Sthembiso Dlamini, South African Tourism acting chief executive officer, said the indaba would create more quality engagements for small business owners and buyers in the form of daily speed-marketing sessions.
This will be achieved through an online diary and matchmaking system, which will facilitate suitably matched meetings between exhibitors and credible buyers.
An additional networking session will be held to provide market access to emerging small medium micro enterprises (SMMEs) to attract new businesses.
The programme is supported by the department of tourism through its tourism incentive programme. The programme is aimed to drive sales and grow the customer base of small tourism establishments by providing them with better access to tourism buyers and potential guests.
